Bringing art to all

In Kaizhou district, Southwest China's Chongqing, the One Yuan Theater is transforming access to the arts with its innovative model. Launched by the local government in June 2025, this initiative offers show tickets for just one yuan ($0.15), making art accessible to all and boosting local tourism and community engagement.

By the end of June, the theater had hosted 147 performances, attracting 180,000 attendees and garnering over 6 million online followers. Peak livestream audiences surpassed 600,000, nearly 750 times the capacity of the district's largest theater, according to the organizer, Hushan Investment Group.

On the night of June 30, the Kaizhou Theater captivated audiences with a two-hour annual gala, featuring a vibrant mix of theatrical acts, traditional Chongqing-style crosstalk, Sichuan Opera, songs and dances, and even a Brazilian dancer's breaking routine, all offered as public benefit shows.

Among the standout performances was the One Yuan Theater's original group dance, Zhi Ka Zhi Ka, inspired by the traditional Tujia brocade craft. The performance earned the prestigious Qunxing Award last year, marking a first for Kaizhou on the national stage.

"The gala presented historical segments of the local Three Gorges migrants, which I wanted my daughter to learn about," says Tong Xiaoqing, an audience member. A few days ago, following a recommendation by a friend who is an extra at the theater, she quickly secured two tickets as soon as they were released and brought her 9-year-old daughter to the event.

The initiative spans multiple venues across Kaizhou and includes mobile stages that bring cultural experiences to local communities. The show has established a regular weekly schedule of small plays, monthly performances and seasonal shows.

Local retiree Zhang Jicheng is a testament to the theater's popularity, having attended 86 shows over the past year. "With just a tap in the WeChat mini program, I can enjoy high-quality performances for only one yuan," he says.

"We set the fee at one yuan instead of making it free to enhance the sense of occasion, encourage good audience behavior, and help prevent wasting public cultural resources," says Tan Bo, head of the arts department in Kaizhou's publicity department. "To tackle the challenges of limited access to performances and low participation, we've launched this initiative with the aim of improving cultural offerings at the grassroots level and satisfying the community's need for quality cultural experiences."

Tan notes that in the past, the district suffered from a scarcity of cultural events, with performances entirely government-funded. Now, the theater has adopted a sustainable model that combines commercial sponsorships, sales of relevant cultural and creative products, and advertising rental space.

Local tourism has benefited from the initiative. Figures show a 55 percent increase in visitors to the Hanfeng Lake tourism district, contributing 2.93 billion yuan ($431 million) to the area's revenue.

Kaizhou, a region rich in history and cultural heritage, serves as a resettlement area for residents displaced by the Three Gorges project (starting 1993). With a permanent population of 1.17 million, it is home to Hanfeng Lake, the largest inland lake in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

The theater's innovative approach to public cultural services was recognized as a model of Chongqing's grassroots reform in 2025.

Just before the June 30 gala, a delegation from Pingdingshan, Henan province, visited Kaizhou to sign a strategic cooperation agreement, further cementing Kaizhou's role as a model for cultural accessibility.

"Over 70 percent of our performers are local residents, not professional artists. This includes truck drivers, delivery workers, students, and community art groups, all coming together to create something truly special," says Zhang Yang, one of the show's directors. He adds they have been innovating and refining the show over the past year, and it is now in its 4.0 version.

For 38-year-old Zhu Feiyu, a local teahouse owner and stage enthusiast who has participated in the theater as a supporting host and singer for nearly a year, it is a labor of love.

"Seeing folks come to watch the show even in the rain, bringing us water and offering watermelons, makes all my efforts worthwhile," he says.